Repentance is a subject mentioned often in the scriptures. In the Bible, repentance toward God is mentioned 37 times, and in regard to man, 69 times. In every age, God demanded that man repent of his sinful conduct. In the days of Noah, the world refused to repent, so God destroyed that world, save eight souls (1 Peter 3:20). John the Baptist also preached the message of repentance (Matthew 3:1,2). When our Lord began His public ministry, His message began with repentance (Matthew 4:17). Prior to returning to heaven, He gave His apostles the Great Commission. That message also contained repentance. "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." {Luke 24:47} The first gospel sermon included repentance in its message (Acts 2:38). There is absolutely no hope for the man who is unwilling to repent of his sins (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). No doubt, of all God's commands, repentance is the most difficult to obey. Man's stubbornness will always block his ability to see the need to repent. All who would come to Christ and become members of God's family must overcome this hurdle. God's children must also be willing to repent when they are guilty of sin. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." {1 John 1:8-10} This stresses the importance of the Christian's retention of the proper attitude toward repentance.

First, the Christian must understand what repentance requires from him. To better explain this, let's discuss what repentance is not...

Fear -- Fear alone does not help one keep God's commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Regret -- Being sorry for getting caught "with our hands in the cookie jar" does not mean we have truly repented. Prayer -- Prayer cannot bring relief to the wayward soul who is not truly penitent (Acts 8:22). Worldly sorrow -- Simply being sorry for one's actions won't cut ice with the Lord. Only Godly sorrow can lead one to true repentance. "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." {2 Corinthians 7:10}

Repentance is reformation -- Sorrow produces repentance, and repentance produces reformation of the conduct. The result is Bible repentance.

The act that begins in the heart -- the determination that we will quit sinning. The difference between penitence and impenitence is the word not. "He answered and said, I will not, but afterward he regretted it and went." {Matthew 21:29} Determination to get out of sin's pigpen -- "But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." {Luke 15:17-19} How long does it take to repent? It takes the length of time it takes to decide to stop sinning.

As Christians we must appreciate the motives that can lead to true repentance. We will die and then stand before God to give account of our actions (2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27). Those who fail to repent face a deep leap into the darkness of spiritual eternity (Romans 11:22). How can anyone who is able to understand God's love and mercy refuse to repent? We must show "works meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20). The truly penitent person will seek to, if at all possible, make right his wrong. Sometimes, as in the case of murder, it is not possible. In Ephesus, they burned their books as a sign of repentance (Acts 19:19,20). To show true repentance, ungodly, sinful conduct must change (2 Corinthians 6:17,18; Ephesians 4:22-32). Have we truly repented of our sins -- or just slowed down? Give sober thought to the answer to that last question!